Meet The New Quilt Artist: Jessica Wheelahan

 

Name of Artwork: The MMXX Quilt

Jessica Wheelahan lives and works in Sydney, Australia where she loves to create quilts utilising improv techniques. Jessica has created using textiles as her medium of choice for the past ten years and has exhibited globally. 

Prior to this time Jessica enjoyed collage and printmaking, having studied design at the University of New South Wales and was introduced to textiles while she worked in the fashion design studio of Akira Isogawa. 

Jessica takes inspiration from a diverse range of sources including, art, design, fashion and pop culture. She always has more than one quilt underway at any given time and appreciates having time and space to let each work develop as required. 

Sewing is a non-negotiable part of Jessica's day to day routine and it is in this way that her ínimitible artful improv quilts come to life. Jessica has had the opportunity to collaborate with other artists and designers which she feels grateful for as the experience tends to enrich her classroom teaching practice. Jess lives with her supportive husband and two beautiful children in a lovely home abundant with quilts.

Jessica Wheelahan online: Instagram

The New Quilt, on exhibition at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Windsor, NSW from 6 February – 11 April 2021. 

Gallery hours: Open 6 days a week Monday, Wednesday-Friday 10am-4pm Saturday-Sunday 10am-3pm. Closed on Tuesday and public holidays.